Syringa vulgaris
Common Lilac
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 8-15' tall and 6-12' wide, occasionally to 20' tall and 15' wide. Habit is upright but irregular, forming a large shrub. Moderate growth rate.
Native Range
Native to the Balkans, occurring in Yugoslavia, Moldavia, Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, and throughout southeastern Europe.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are normally lilac/lavender in color, but variations may be white, cream, pink to rose, single or double, borne in terminal clusters, 4-8" long, occurring from late April to mid May, depending on the weather; showy and very fragrant. Fruits are 5/8" beaked, dehiscent capsules.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves ovate, 2-5" long and 3/4 as wide, acuminate at the tip, sub-cordate at the base, glabrous, dark green, with a 0.75-1.25" petiole. Poor fall color (leaves remain green). Bark is light gray, small raised lenticels and leaf scars on younger stems. Pith is solid, white. Bark on very old plants becomes darker gray, as large stems become twisted and peeling or ridged.
Culture and Care
Prefers neutral soil pH, with peat or leaf mold. Does well at soil pH 6.1-7.5. To prune, cut flowers as soon as they fade. Zones 3-7. Will grow out of limestone cliffs, so is very tolerant of alkaline soils. Also performs well in slightly acid soil. Susceptible to aphids, lilac borers, scales, leaf blight, leaf spot; and powdery mildew (a serious problem in shady areas or sites with poor air movement).
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Much lore and legend follows the common lilac, which has been treasured around the world for centuries.
Suggested Uses
A frequently used and nostalgic shrub, for instance reminding one of Grandmother's garden. Best used in shrub borders and groupings.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Syringa vulgaris // Common Lilac ("straight species")
Shrub.
-- not currently in our collection --Syringa vulgaris 'Lavender Lady' // Lavender Lady Common Lilac
Shrub. Lavender-purple to light purple, single, fragrant flowers. Developed by Walter E. Lammerts in California, and patented in 1954 for reliably good flower production in the mild winter climate. Heat tolerant, low chilling requirement for successful bloom. Has an open growth habit that makes a good hedge, screen or accent plant. Also good for a border or cutting garden. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Prune after flowering, if desired. Remove spent flowers to tidy up. Drought-tolerant. Tolerates full sun to light shade. Fast growing, to 12' tall and 6' wide. A result of a cross between S. vulgaris and S. x laciniata (or some sources say a hybrid of S. vulgaris and S. x hyacinthiflora). Works well in Zones 3-8.
Bed 117Syringa vulgaris 'President Grevy' // President Grevy Lilac
Shrub. Double-flowered, with blue to violet-blue to purplish-blue petals. Zones 3-7(8). Dark green, heart-shaped foliage. Makes a great flowering hedge or screen. Also good for the cutting garden. A prolific bloomer; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Needs full sun to light shade. Gets 8-10' tall and 10-12' wide. Moderate rate of growth. Tolerates pH 6.1-7.8. Urban tolerant. Widely adaptable to various soils. Lives about 30 years. Introduced in 1886 by Lemoine. Large, starry florets, immense panicles, excellent.
-- not currently in our collection --Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln' // President Lincoln Lilac
Shrub. Highly fragrant flowers are colored more blue (blue-lavender) than other types. Introduced by Dunbar in 1916. A tall, leafy grower. Very good. Sometimes the vigorous, leafy shoots somewhat hide the blooms. Prune after flowering. This plant originated as an open-pollinated seedling of the old 'Alba-virginalis' (pre-1864). Zones 3-8. Large trusses of single, Wedgewood blue flowers. Often flowers into May. Erect branches, open, upright habit with rich, green foliage. Needs full sun to partial sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Fast grower to 10' tall and 6' wide. Good for hedges, borders, cutting gardens, urban gardens, or at the edge of woodland gardens. Easy care. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
-- not currently in our collection --Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation' // Sensation Lilac
Shrub. Grows 8-15' tall, and 6-12' wide. The very first bicolor lilac. Deep purple flower buds. Single flowers are deep purple to wine-red, edged in white. Very showy. Introduced by Eveleens Maarse in the Netherlands in 1938. Originated as a periclinal chimera mutation of 'Hugo de Vries'. Zones 3-7. Needs full sun; tolerates light shade. Good hedge, screen or accent plant. Good cut flower. Tolerates clay soil and deer.
Bed 120Syringa vulgaris 'Wedgwood Blue' // Wedgwood Blue Common Lilac
Shrub. Lilac-pink flower buds; single, porcelain-blue to lavender-blue flowers, Apr/May. Beautiful, fragrant, large, hanging panicles of racemes of arching, wisteria-like flowers. A compact, lower grower, only 4-8' tall and wide. Excellent. Needs full sun. Slow-growing, disease-resistant cultivar. Rounded or upright-erect in shape. Prune right after flowers fade, at least removing the spent flowers.
-- not currently in our collection --